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Ottawa – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has approved more than 500 dairy producers across the country for funding support.

In a statement, AAFC says the funding support is valued at $23.5 million and is through the Dairy Farm Investment Program (DFIP).

Each of the producers will receive an amount to go towards such things as “cow comfort equipment” or large projects such as “automated milking systems.”

Lawrence MacAulay, Canada’s minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, says in the statement that the government aims to help the industry become more productive and efficient.

“The fact that a majority of applicants will have at least one of their projects supported under the DFIP is great news for Canada’s dairy producers right across the country,” says MacAulay. “These investments are just one of the many ways the government continues to support the dairy sector to ensure it remains strong.”

The statement says the DFIP is a $250-million over-five-years federal investment that is providing targeted contributions to help Canadian dairy farmers update farm technologies and systems and improve productivity.

The DFIP received more than 2,500 applications.

AAFC says the dairy sector drives the country’s economy with nearly $24 billion in sales by farmers and food processors.